2009-2010 Fall/Winter Commuter Challenge is on!

[out_spokin']

Hi everyone,
First frost for my commute in this morning! Must be time to get this challenge properly recorded.

Here’s who/what I have so far:

out_spokin’: 75% of office days, 1 car-free weekday/week
Yelsel: 3x/week if possible, 2x at worst
TriGirl: 2x/week, rockin’ the new lobster gloves
Biciclista: rockin’ the dark & dry days
GLC1968: 1 full or 2 split commutes/week, rockin’ the 20 mile OW commute
Kfergos: TBA, rockin’ the new bicycle advocacy job in a new city
Tulip: 3x/week when not on the road (travelling that is, not the bike-type road)
Malkin: to commute again, rockin’ the recovery
Jenerator: daily, except when on call or travel
7rider: riding when possible, forget about those icy snowy days
Grog: 80% active commuting, rockin’ 3x/week on the bike, running 1x/week
Becky: riding to the weekend job as possible
Medianox: at least 1 day out of 3, when the fog isn’t pea soup thick
bikerHen: continuing her 5x/week commute, with an out for freezy feet days
Voodoo Sally: continuing 5x/week through December, hoping to rock a mild winter for more

Check in regularly, let us know how it’s going, share successes, challenges, encouragement, crazy weather pictures, whatever! Thanks for joining in (and if you haven’t already joined, name a goal and jump on in!)

[buddha_bellies]

I'll jump on the bandwagon as well. Thanks!

Been biking to work everyday since '95. Only time that ever stop me was last year's deep snow and lack of snow removal at the side street. Heck! Even cars had a trouble of getting around.

So far my goal will be the same. Ride 5 times a week. If it snow, I hope to ride as well until the road is too dangerous. Then maybe snowshoe?

[Biciclista]

Three commutes this week! no rain, but plenty of dark and cold!
and tonight will complete my 98th commute of the year.

[pfunk12]

Count me in. Since I normally work 4 days a week, it will hopefully be 4 times on the bike. The only time I don't commute by bike is if my work schedule prevents it. And I don't plan on being on the bike in ice, snow, pouring rain, etc.

[Tri Girl]

Commuted 3 times this week (out of 4 days of work). Guess I need to get fenders on my Bike Friday because my bike is getting wrecked from all the rain and road grime. Been cold and wet- but I love EVERY minute of it!!!:D

[Becky]

How did I miss this thread earlier?

I commuted 2 days out of 4 this week to the FT job, and will likely ride to work tomorrow (Saturday). Just 200 more miles and I'll have 1000 commuting miles this year, so I'm motivated to keep riding!!

[malkin]

I made it! I made it!! I made it!!!

Ok, I wasn't really going to work, but I rode the route and fed the fish in the tank on my desk, so I really made it!

The sore places on my ribs really lit up at first, maybe because it was cold, 38 or so, but the pain was intermittent and then went away. :)

I guess when they said six weeks, they really knew what they were talking about.

[Yelsel]

Ugh, already down to 35 degrees for the commute home last night, and there was snow on the ground this morning. On the minus side, I'm not going to have too much time to fiddle with getting the layering right. On the plus side, we've basically skipped the 40s and 50s, so I'm not going to need to figure out those! I'm just afraid that I'm maxing out some of my warm stuff already, like I've already gone to the thick Ibex wool gloves.

[out_spokin']

Had to post an update after the morning's commute featured a gorgeous crescent moon. After a couple harder mornings getting out the door (snow on the ground last Friday, and freezing fog Tuesday) that was a nice reminder of why I love commuting this time of year.

The moon in a still-dark sky highlighted that I clearly need to get the rest of my lighting system up and running - my headlight and taillight are in full action, and I cleaned up the sidewalls so my reflective stripe can shine through, so that's good. Next up: I treated myself to some SpokeLits that I've got to install, and I've got to dig out the spare blinky to attach to the backpack for extra visibility.

So far so great on my commute goal, only missed one day for a good reason. Not so great on my first week of part time schedule in terms of a no-car weekday. Gotta work on a few elements of that. It's good motivation to re-think a few activities...

[blackhillsbiker]

I'm in. I'm hoping to cycle commute 3-4 days/week. I'm looking at snow tires for the ice. Tomorrow will be 3 days this week. Crazy fog this morning. I'm glad most of my route is on a bike path!

Deb

[hoffsquared]

Once ankle is better, count me in for at least 4x/week unless it's pouring or really, really cold.

[ginny]

Ooo! Count me in too. I commute every day (5 days a week) unless - just like others here, too much untracked snow. Though I am changing out my commuter and don't have studded tires yet... well, I'll try anyway.

[Biciclista]

only did 1 commute this week. And it was the 99th for the year!

[Becky]

2 commutes this week. I'd hoped to ride to work today and tomorrow, but it looks like the nor'easters have put an end to that idea. I'm not sure that I'm ready to tackle cold and rainy together. Here's hoping that Monday is dry and I can get back on my regular commuting schedule.

[pfunk12]

From the woman who said she would try to commute 4 out of 4 days per week - 0 commutes this week. :( Monday was a holiday so I did not work. Was home sick on Tuesday and Wednesday (also, with sick kids). I drove in yesterday because it was way too cold, rainy and nasty. And since I had taken 2 sick days, if I had biked to work in that weather, my boss and co-workers would have fired me. :D I was going to bike to work today because although it was cold, it was only drizzling at 6 a.m. Glad I didn't. I walked up the stairs to my office at 7 a.m. and my cellphone rang. Daughter #1 had a temp of 102.1 and an upset stomach. I said hello to my boss and secretary and said goodbye and went home to be with 2 sick daughters. Debating whether or not I should try and hop on the treadmill to sweat a little.

[redrhodie]

Well, I don't know if I can be in this, because I can't make myself set a goal, but I commuted once this week, out of 2 days of work. Is it okay if I just post like this, with no goal stated? I like leaving things open ended...:)

[tulip]

Slow to start this challenge...0 commutes this week. My goal for next week is ONE commute by bike. To the post office, that is.

[blackhillsbiker]

3 days :p Yay! I get teased unmercifully at work. They really shouldn't – it is the reason for my good mood when I get there in the morning. Otherwise I'm a bit of a grouch (understatement) in the mornings.

Deb

[Yelsel]

Only 2 days this week; one car (didn't know how the "3-5 inches of snow" on Monday would play out, especially since I can't afford studded tires for another few weeks), and 2 days working at home. Both biking days included cold drizzle / sleet, though.

And did about 90% of local errands by bike -- including 2 overflowing panniers and backrack of groceries. I am going to try out the Craigslist score (whoo!) Burley flatbed trailer this weekend to take bikes I'm framesaver'ing to the local co-op to use their crank / bottom bracket / headset tools.

[Biciclista]

If anyone cares, yesterday I completed my 100th bike commute of the year. I did not ride today, however, because of thick fog.

[out_spokin']

100 for the year! Way to go!! So cool to have a concrete goal and hit it in October even....hope the fog clears up soon.

[7rider]

If anyone cares, yesterday I completed my 100th bike commute of the year. I did not ride today, however, because of thick fog.

Of course we care!!!
Congratulations! That is awesome.
I hit 70 today. I don't think I'll make 100 this year.
But...there's always 2010!

[Tri Girl]

Great job, Mimi! 100 commutes is very impressive! :D

[malkin]

A hundred rides is wonderful!

I'm also impressed that you can keep track of them. I tried last year, and forgot to keep track after about seven.

[withm]

If anyone cares, yesterday I completed my 100th bike commute of the year. I did not ride today, however, because of thick fog.

Ha ha - I DIDN'T commute twice as many times as you DID commute.

You go! I am impressed.

[Biciclista]

ah thanks guys. I needed that little bit of encouragement. I can keep track as well as I do because my DH is obsessed about riding and reminds me to update my journal , as he's always checking it!

It all started the first year I finally rode to work on "bike to work day"

[blackhillsbiker]

4 days this week.:D I missed the day my bike was in the shop. He rebuilt the front wheel/hub/brakes. No more sqeaks. :) Today was glorious. I rode an extra bit after work because I couldn't bear for the ride to end.

Deb

[Tri Girl]

4 days this week, too. :D Drove on Monday because I couldn't drag myself out of bed, but rode the rest of the week. Rode even when the weatherman said it would be 100% chance of rain two days (wrong!) and rode when there was a 20% chance of rain (and it rained on me). :rolleyes:

I just LOVE riding to work. I don't always love getting out of bed 30 min. earlier, and it sometimes takes the place of a "real" bike ride after work- but it's the best mood-booster I've EVER found!!!:)

[pfunk12]

I was 4 for 4 this week (today was my day off from work). Tri Girl - I completely agree with you. I have to get up 30 minutes earlier and chug down my coffee. Sometimes when I'm not real happy in the morning, I realize that it's not about my commute. It's about my destination - work :(:( But the commute usually puts me in a good mood or at least a better frame of mind.

[Grog]

So far, so good for me. I'm actually commuting on the bike 4 days a week, usually driving once. Haven't been running to work, too complicated for now. We'll see how things go this winter. It's an inspiration to read from you all.

[redrhodie]

2 for 3 for me this week. Had one flat and I broke a shifter cable. Luckily, the cable broke at home while cleaning my bike. It was a good day to drive--gloomy and windy, so I used the chance to bring next week's clothes.

[kfergos]

No commutes yet -- I am jealous of all you ladies -- but I have diligently gone for daily rides at least as long as my old commute's total daily mileage. My plan when I get back to Seattle is to escort my mother to her job every morning, or if she doesn't ride, to go out then anyway, until I get my own commute.

For the new commute, I'm looking at a 20 to 25 mile one-way commute for a while; that's sounding like a lot of mileage and time spent on the bike to get to and from work. May have to do a mixed bus/bike commute if it takes too long or the route is nasty. I'm looking forward to the challenge, though, and since my new employer is a bike advocacy group, I won't get any strange looks when I roll in sweaty and rain-soaked! :D

[redrhodie]

2.5 commute days out of 3 days of work for this week. That's 74 commute miles for me this week.

[Tri Girl]

Zero days this last week. :(:mad::(
Was raining and lighting a couple days, I was sick one day, recovering the next and Monday I drove because I always drive on Mondays. I kinda miss my bike... can't wait for next week.

[blackhillsbiker]

2.5 last week. The weather forecast for this coming week is good.:) I had a wonderful long ride this morning. This should be a good week for commuting.

Deb

[out_spokin']

bummer week for me -- only 1/2 a commute one day (long story), snow closed the office the 2nd, and a need to get in early, stay late, and threats of 5 degree windchill kept me away the third. Next week is a travel week, so I'll be 0 for 0....at least it was nice today and will be for a few more, got in a fun road/cross ride this afternoon. But miss the commute!

[7rider]

For me, I think the true challenge* of fall/winter commuting has now begun.
We turned the clocks back last night to standard time, so we have light in the morning, but it will be dark in the afternoon for the ride home.
For some reason, I much prefer riding in the morning dark vs. riding in the evening dark.

* Well, just promise not to remind me of this statement if we have a snowy winter this year!

[Becky]

For me, I think the true challenge* of fall/winter commuting has now begun.
We turned the clocks back last night to standard time, so we have light in the morning, but it will be dark in the afternoon for the ride home.
For some reason, I much prefer riding in the morning dark vs. riding in the evening dark.[/COLOR]

Definitely! I've been doing "morning" dark for probably a month now. I like it- everything's quiet, traffic is light, and no one's in a hurry to get to work. 'Evening" dark is going to be a different story, I think. More traffic, and everyone's in a hurry to get home. I've thrown in the commuting towel in years past when "evening" dark arrived. I hope to do better this year!

[redrhodie]

For me, I think the true challenge* of fall/winter commuting has now begun.
We turned the clocks back last night to standard time, so we have light in the morning, but it will be dark in the afternoon for the ride home.
For some reason, I much prefer riding in the morning dark vs. riding in the evening dark.

* Well, just promise not to remind me of this statement if we have a snowy winter this year!

I'm a little nervous about the dark evening commute, too. Until this time change, I've been making it to my car by dusk. This week will be the first real test.

[Biciclista]

only 1 commute last week, hope to do two this coming week at least. The time change does nothing for me this time of year, it's still dark in the morning and i get home long before dark in the afternoon.
Sounds like most of you guys are doing great!

[Tri Girl]

Drivers are definitely more patient and considerate in the morning, and more irritated and in a rush on the way home. I'm actually disappointed that my morning commute will be in the light now. I much prefer morning dark to evening dark. I guess I won't have to worry about it in a month from now when it's dark on both ends again. :rolleyes:

[pfunk12]

I completely agree with 7 and Becky. I leave my home at 6 a.m. and I can count the number of cars I see before I get to the bikepath. Very few. I have never had an incident with an agressive driver in the early morning hours. But it's totally different in the evening. I may have to go to the shop today to buy more blinky lights for my evening commute.

And sad to say but I didn't commute at all last week. :( I worked at home on Monday. It rained on Tuesday so I decided not to bike in. I was at home Wednesday through Friday. I hope to bike in 4 out of 4 days this week because the forecast looks great.

[ginny]

I agree that morning dark is WAY better than evening dark. Seriously, when can we lose this daylight savings business altogether? Farmers have these new fangled electric lights now, and their tractors (complete with internal combustion engines) also have headlights. Okay, stepping off of my 'diatribe' box - that's a little different than a soapbox :cool:

[aeiea]

Can I join? I started a new job a couple of months ago and went from a cushy 4 mile commute to a 20 mile commute.

Just need to install these power grip pedals and get some practice in, and from there I'll be exploring the best path to work.

My first goal is 1-2x a week, bike/bus hybrid, by mid-November.

[7rider]

Well, I'm so far addressing the lost evening light by leaving a half hour earlier in the a.m. This will get me out the door earlier in the afternoon. That means DH has to feed Noah in the a.m. each morning I ride. No quality time with my bunner sharing banana :(.
We'll see how long this lasts.....

[pfunk12]

Ha! I'm actually considering doing the same thing - changing the schedule that I've had since...1991! Instead of leaving a half hour earlier, I would try 15 minutes. But that means waking up around 5 a.m. and I'm not sure that is doable for me. And poor you. No quality time with adorable Noah :(

About 2 miles into my commute this morning, I bumped into a friend of mine who I've known for years via the running community. She was doing her regular early morning run. Her ex-husband used to be my coach. We stopped to talk because she had just come back from the NYC Marathon where she had been working with some of the Nike athletes - stretching them pre and post race. She had wonderful stories to tell about Meb (who ended up winning the whole darn thing) and other athletes. We talked for about 15 minutes. During the 2 miles that I had been biking, I had already started to warm up so I was sweating quite a bit. When I started back up again...:eek: I was frozen! It was not a fun commute the rest of the way in. I am now enjoying a HUGE cup of hot coffee.:)



Well, I'm so far addressing the lost evening light by leaving a half hour earlier in the a.m. This will get me out the door earlier in the afternoon. That means DH has to feed Noah in the a.m. each morning I ride. No quality time with my bunner sharing banana :(.
We'll see how long this lasts.....

[Becky]

My first standard time commute went well. It was light by the time DH and I got to the office and we managed to beat the darkness home too. It won't stay like that for long, but it's making it easier to ease into the dark evenings.

[uk elephant]

I intended to sign up for this, but after careful consideration decided not to. I migth try to cycle to work some mornings, but on days when I can either leave early or when BF can pick me up after work. BF and I were chatting about cycling home in the dark and we came to the conclusion that it would be most sensible not to on my commute route. It is very dark (no street lights), the road is narrow and windy, people generally drive in the middle of the road and only move over if they can see car headlights up ahead which means they will not be alert to my presence until its too late, drivers generally do not expect to see cyclists especially on dark and stormy nights. So from now on I am going to stop feeling guilty about taking the bus or the car to work through the winter unless I can do the commute in daylight. Makes me feel like a wuss compared to some of you, but I think it's the sensible decision.

[ginny]

UK, that is a perfectly reasonable conclusion. No one can argue with staying alive to ride through another summer. ;)

[blackhillsbiker]

5 for 5:) Today was ridiculously beautiful. 72 degrees. Felt like September. I left work early and added 5 miles to my commute home.

Deb

[out_spokin']

aeiea - consider yourself in! 20 miles is no easy task for a winter commute -- good luck and keep us informed!

I just got back from a work trip to Philly - transit strike -- SO many bike commuters, many clearly not regulars. Great to see and I hope some of them decide to do it more often.

Next week back on the bike -- hooray!

[redrhodie]

I commuted only today this week. I had to scrape ice off the windshield of my car this morning! It was only in the 30s when I left home. I also am going in earlier-leaving earlier, so I'm still making it to my car while it's still light out in the evening. I'm lucky to have a lot of flexibility at my job.

Just realized I probably won't have many days to commute in Dec due to being at shows, not at my regular job. Oh well, hopefully I'll still get my regular rides in.

[Tri Girl]

4 out of 5 days this week. Woo hoo! With weather in the 70's this week I had no excuse! Next week will be just as nice. :) This weather is unusual and crazy- but I love it!!!:D

[Becky]

3 days out of 6- not too shabby :)

The worst part of winter commuting is the amount of laundry. I just crammed our front loader full, and it was only a week's worth! During the summer, there isn't nearly the volume of cycling and running clothes.

[7rider]

The worst part of winter commuting is the amount of laundry. I just crammed our front loader full, and it was only a week's worth! During the summer, there isn't nearly the volume of cycling and running clothes.

B/t my DH and me, we always seem to have a huge pile of bike clothes that needs to be washed. I'm forever asking..."Did you do bike clothes today? I really want to wear those ....(insert item: leg warmers, buff, knickers, etc)...tomorrow." :rolleyes:

As I suspected, each morning since turning the clocks back, I've left a leeeeetle bit later in the morning.....
This morning, I was delayed by putting a bunch of plums that we have no hope of eating before they turn into the oven to dry. It's an experiment.

[tulip]

I have simply been too busy at work to ride. I've been working everyday until midnight, weekends, too. When this big push is over, I'll be able to fit a bike ride into my day. But until then (next Monday), no riding.

[Voodoo Sally]

Every day so far for November. And these last 2 have been so nice and warm. October had 3 days of car. One because the car needed to be serviced (although I did drop the car at the shop and rode the rest of the way), one because I had a dental appt. mid-day and it was too far to ride, and one for no good reason (felt blah - regretted it the whole time). But otherwise have been riding to work every day and home in the dark and cold. In the past couple of weeks, in addition to commuting, I rode to a Dr. appt. after work, rode to a haircut appt. mid-day, and rode to an evening meeting downtown. Planning on riding from work to a luncheon date next week.

[blackhillsbiker]

Lately my commute has been the only good thing about my work day. I'm so burned out at my job but now doesn't seem like a good time to look for something else. On the bright side, I can look over my shoulder and see my bike waiting for me. It makes me smile. Every work day so far this November. Good weather forecast for the next few days. :)

Deb

Oh, and I've decided I love riding at night. The trail is quiet. It's too dark to check the cyclometer for speed/time. I just bike and decompress.

[redrhodie]

One (today) again for me this week. I know we're getting rain tomorrow, and I need a rest day, so that's it for me!

I almost asked for a ride to my car after work tonight. Steady 20-30 mph NNE winds, means a headwind most of the way, with the windiest part being the last 10 miles, which is right on the coast. Well, after some hemming and hawing, I got on the bike and rode. Don't know why "Only the Good Die Young" kept playing in my head? :p Really, it was an absolutely fun ride, and I'm so glad I didn't wimp out. The other thing I kept thinking, specifically about headwind riding that you might try sometime, was I'm still moving faster than if I was walking, which really helped.

It was also totally dark by the time I got to my car, and the circle of light from my helmet light was so good for the false-flat climb that usually kills me at the end. I thought with the wind, I'd be in my granny, but I was still in the big ring, hauling up the hill, with no inner voices telling me how hard this is. I kept thinking, this feels easy...weird. The little beam gives a good focus point, so you can't get thrown by the other visual cues.

I like wind, and night riding. :)

[pfunk12]

Good for you, redrhodie. Sounds like you are tough - both mentally and physically. Me? I wimped out today because of the all-day rain and wind. Maybe tomorrow...maybe.

[7rider]

Yesterday, I discovered something I never used before. Telework.
We had a contractor scheduled to come at noon to give us an estimate on a job. At work, I was going to be chained to my desk all day, writing a proposal and editing documents that live on our wiki. So there seemed little point in going in for a few hours, coming home to meet with the contractor for a half hour, and then going back to work. I'd spend more time commuting than working. So, with telework agreement in hand, I logged on from home and did my work from here.
Wow. Loved the commute. :cool: No snotty weather to deal with. No stinky Metro to ride on. I just had to listen to our bunny, Noah, snoring all day. I had no idea he snores (well, it's more like a relaxed whine)!

[pfunk12]

Good for you! Teleworking is wonderful! :) I've been doing it for a few years but only one day every 2 weeks. I LOVE it. You forgot to mention that you can stay in your pajamas and no one will know. :D


Yesterday, I discovered something I never used before. Telework.

[Grog]

Bad score for me this week. I took transit on Monday, rode on Tuesday, Wednesday was a holiday in my province so I didn't go anywhere, Thursday I took the car and today I am working from home and going nowhere, except perhaps walking to the corner store. I'll go for a run though.

Oh well. I did cycle 4/5 last week during Bike-to-Work Week.

[pfunk12]

I did 2 out of 3 days this week. The forecast called for showers off and on all day today so I took a chance. The morning commute was wonderful but I'm hoping I don't get caught in a downpour on the way home.

[malkin]

Good grief.
After the flu, I can barely get to work in my car!

While I was sick, I coughed so hard that my banged up ribs started to hurt again. Curses! Foiled again!

The good news is I did a test commute run on Friday afternoon, and made it, although the bit by the university was packed with people for a high school football extravaganza, so I ended up walking, just to navigate through the crowd.

[blackhillsbiker]

Feel better soon. That flu is nasty stuff! Be kind to yourself and only cycle as it feels good.

Deb

[Melalvai]

Feel better soon. That flu is nasty stuff! Be kind to yourself and only cycle as it feels good.
I have been really lucky and missed out on it despite the students dropping like flies. I did want to mention, that as you are recovering, an easy ride can make you feel LOTS better. My theory is that a little exercise suppresses some of the over-reactions of the immune system. It works for allergies, too.

[Tri Girl]

This was a bad week for me. Only commuted 1.5 days (the other half of the second day involved a ride home after two glasses of wine with dinner). :)
I was just extremely fatigued this week and felt like I needed that extra 30 minutes of sleep every morning.
Now I feel so guilty when I don't commute; like I'm letting down the planet when I drive my car. :(
Hopefully I'll have more energy and be better next week.

[bikerHen]

I've had a crummy month so far! For a multitude of reasons I've only had 5 days of commuting this month. :eek: I hope to change that this week with a full five day commute week.
I finally broke down and put the studded tires on my bike to cope with the icy mornings we've been having and wouldn't you know, we had an almost recording breaking WARM morning. Almost 50 degrees! But the forecast is for rain and possible snow toward the end of the week so I guess I'll just deal with em.

It's raining now, so a dark, wet ride home. My favorite kind! :D bikerHen

[blackhillsbiker]

I did want to mention, that as you are recovering, an easy ride can make you feel LOTS better. My theory is that a little exercise suppresses some of the over-reactions of the immune system. It works for allergies, too.

I stayed home sick today. Yesterday I rode my bike to work and called my DH to pick me up and bring me and Firefly home. I had a fever and chills. Ugh. The weather was gorgeous today so I had a small gentle ride after lunch. I did well to maintain 10-11mph. I was wiped out after my 11 mile ride. Glad I did it, though. I figured I could sit on the couch and feel cruddy, or get on my bike and enjoy the sunshine. Other than being tired I enjoyed the exercise and fresh air.

Deb

[mizzbananie]

I've had the flu for more than 3 weeks.. yesterday I thought I was feeling 'normal' (i can barely recall what that is at this point) so I got on the bike. I ride 15kms each way, and it was just too much, too soon. I think I'll drive for the rest of this week and see how it goes on Monday.

Stupid hamdemic.

[pfunk12]

4 for 4 this week (tomorrow is my day off from work). I'm glad I biked in this morning. It was misting most of the way in but the bike path and roads weren't that slick. It's been a wonderful week to be on the bike. The temperature - both in the morning and evening - has been ideal. I'm really hoping that it's not raining when I leave this evening.

[pfunk12]

Forgot to add - feel better soon, mizzbananie! Although I've been fortunate so far and haven't been sick, my younger daughter has missed so many days of school that I received a letter from the principal about the percentage of days she's missed. And it's only November :(.

[ginny]

It was 4F out this morning, but beautiful! The air was still and the sun was just peeking up... I was a little cold when I got in, but what a beautiful morning :D

[redrhodie]

It was 4F out this morning, but beautiful! The air was still and the sun was just peeking up... I was a little cold when I got in, but what a beautiful morning :D

4F? Like 4º F? Dang, that's cold!

2 for me so far this week. May commute Sat, but I've met my mileage goal for the week, so we'll see if I feel like riding more. I'm not one to overdo it.

[7rider]

It was 4F out this morning, ... I was a little cold when I got in...

Okay...
That one wins for "Understatement of the Week!" :D
Brrrrrr.....

Sometimes, for me, the biggest challenge of commuting is having a schedule that makes it feasible. This was a bad week....only one day...and I won't ride tomorrow. Between long/late meetings, early presentations downtown, and afternoon Dr's/Dentist appointments, this week has been one big chaotic mess. I'm looking foward to the holiday-shortened week next week!

[Voodoo Sally]

5 for 5 this week, for the third week in a row. That's every work day so far for November. Wednesday had the first spots of ice, but today I was riding in shorts and short sleeves. Our weather is weird.

[hoffsquared]

2 for 5 this week.

[Becky]

Tomorrow should be my first since last Monday, I hope! I had to send my big headlight off for repair, and I won't ride in the dark dark with my little one. Crappy weather and travel didn't help either :(

I'm feeling more than a little rusty!

[out_spokin']

3 for 3 this week, assuming all goes well on the way home. Crescent moon is making the evenings pretty pleasant in the dark. Plus my new neon green spokelits cheer me up!

Last week wasn't great, only 1 for 3 because of a late after work meeting/overnight.

After that less than great showing my ride this Tuesday morning through 18 degrees F and lots of icy patches felt great -- I can do this! :cool:

[blackhillsbiker]

3.5 for 4. Hubby picked me up on Monday when I got sick. Tuesday I stayed home. The rest of the week was good. Slower than usual, though.

Deb (sniffle, cough, cough)

[Grog]

What happened? I only got 2 out of 5 last week. :(

[blackhillsbiker]

3 for 3 this week. If the weather stays this nice, I'll probably get in lots more riding over the break. I'm just glad this work week is over. The shop has been a bit tense. The commute has been the best part of my day!

Deb

[mizzbananie]

3 for 5 this week... i'm loving the night ride home. having trouble keeping warm.

[pfunk12]

1 for 1 this week and next week I am traveling so I won't be riding a bike. :(

[7rider]

I got a big, fat, 0 for 3 this week. :mad:

[redrhodie]

One for me this week. I was waiting to see about today, but it's cold, wet and windy, so I'm wussing out. This is also the first week since June that I won't make my weekly 100 mile goal. Oh, well, 'tis the season! ;)

[Becky]

1 out of 4 this week. It was very windy, but I'm glad that I rode today after all that Thanksgiving feasting!

[Biciclista]

back in the saddle again. with my main bike in the shop, my mixte in another shop, i am riding my husband's 1988 mountain bike with moustache handlebars and full fenders and bright lights.

I rode to work today. (gasp!)

[tulip]

I don't know if this counts, but since I've injured my wrist, I've adapted my commute to be indoors on the trainer twice a day. I don't like the trainer much, but thinking of it as a commute actually motivates me.

Seeing as I work from home, I'm pretty pleased with this solution.

[Voodoo Sally]

I don't know if this counts, but since I've injured my wrist, I've adapted my commute to be indoors on the trainer twice a day. I don't like the trainer much, but thinking of it as a commute actually motivates me.

Seeing as I work from home, I'm pretty pleased with this solution.

Heh heh. I like it.

[Tri Girl]

I think it counts. Hey- you'd be out there riding if it weren't for that pesky wrist thing. ;)

[7rider]

First ride in the 20s this a.m.
Okay. So, it's not like 4 degrees....but it's cold when your New England blood goes thin after you move to Maryland! :p
Anyway...got me thinking of Mr. Yehuda Moon (http://www.yehudamoon.com/index.php?date=2009-11-09) this a.m.

[redrhodie]

I overslept this morning, so no commute for me today. oops. This was my last day of work at my regular job for the next couple of weeks, so I won't be commuting for a while, I guess. I will, however, have a few more days off until the shows end (in which to ride), so it's all good!

[redrhodie]

I don't know if this counts, but since I've injured my wrist, I've adapted my commute to be indoors on the trainer twice a day. I don't like the trainer much, but thinking of it as a commute actually motivates me.

Seeing as I work from home, I'm pretty pleased with this solution.

You can pretend your kitchen is 5 miles away, and ride for 20 minutes every time you need to go there.

[Tri Girl]

You can pretend your kitchen is 5 miles away, and ride for 20 minutes every time you need to go there.

That's funny!!! I like the way you think, redrhodie. ;)

[Voodoo Sally]

Rode to work every day in Nov. And 5 for 5 this week, so Dec. is off to a good start. I am enjoying seeing all the Christmas lights on my way home now. They're starting to predict the white stuff, though, so the commute might start going belly up this month . . .

[hoffsquared]

2 of 5 this week. :( but than none at all. :)

Doctor's appointment one day.
Pouring one day.
No power in the morning one day - so running too late to bike.

[Tri Girl]

2 our of 4 for me. One day it was raining and cold- today it was just too dang cold. I'll ride in the 20's but when the wind chill is at near 0 F- I'm out. I'm hard core, but not THAT hard core! ;)

[out_spokin']

2 for 3 this week – this morning’s -2F plus an early evening commitment led me to temporarily throw in the towel today. I’m just under my overall goal for the season, so I’ve really want to hit 100% at least once in the next two weeks!

Yesterday though – WOW. Set a new personal record with a 9F temperature and falling snow both coming and going. The morning was sweet – light snow, with the giant moon shining through the clouds.

The evening, though, was a standout! Turns out my headlight battery either didn’t charge correctly or was negatively affected by 2.5 hrs riding on the front of a bus on a frigid day, so I turned it off on the bike path sections to save it for the streets. As I was riding along the creek and through the park, all my senses were heightened, soft green neon of my Spokelits reflecting off the fresh and falling snow, just feeling happy and gradually warming up…saw a mini-ninja as I approached the trail bridge, so I stopped short and waited…a gorgeous red fox ran no more than 5 feet from me, slowed to check me out, and was off. AMAZING.

A kitchen trainer commute though…that’s funny.

[redrhodie]

Bah, none for me this week. Doing a show, so we're out of the studio (which I commute to).

[blackhillsbiker]

1/2 on Tuesday, 1/2 on Wednesday, Thursday & Friday. Monday night we had a Christmas party to go to right after work. If it gets really snowy this next week, I might try commuting on the MTB.

Deb

[Grog]

Miserable 1/4 this week. But it was the most beautiful morning ever.

On Friday I was dressed up and ready to go when I received an email from our facilities manager announcing "no hot water for showers." That was that for me. :(

[Voodoo Sally]

so I turned it off on the bike path sections to save it for the streets. As I was riding along the creek and through the park, all my senses were heightened, soft green neon of my Spokelits reflecting off the fresh and falling snow, just feeling happy and gradually warming up…saw a mini-ninja as I approached the trail bridge, so I stopped short and waited…a gorgeous red fox ran no more than 5 feet from me, slowed to check me out, and was off. AMAZING.


Terrific!

[blackhillsbiker]

1 for 5 this week. Tomorrow we leave for a Christmas party at Two Strike right after work. I won't have time to get the bike home and get back. I'm glad I rode today!

Deb

[blackhillsbiker]

2 for 5. I rode in and came home a little early. We had a heat wave (it's amazing how warm 20° feels some days) and I couldn't resist. I have to bring in a rug to put under my bike work. I used an old towel today. It's supposed to be warmer next week.

Deb

[7rider]

F'ing insomnia. :mad:
I hate it. :mad:
Between fog, black ice, and about zero hours of restful sleep last night, there was no way I was getting on a bicycle.
And at our moring staff meeting, the head of our policy shop will be there to discuss a major new draft policy my agency released last week.
"Be prepared to ask intelligent questions," my boss said on Friday.
Yeah.
Right.
Whimper.

[pfunk12]

Coffee, coffee, coffee...and lots of it!!!!!!
Sorry to hear about your lack of sleep. That's tough.



F'ing insomnia. :mad:
I hate it. :mad:
Between fog, black ice, and about zero hours of restful sleep last night, there was no way I was getting on a bicycle.
And at our moring staff meeting, the head of our policy shop will be there to discuss a major new draft policy my agency released last week.
"Be prepared to ask intelligent questions," my boss said on Friday.
Yeah.
Right.
Whimper.

[Voodoo Sally]

The commute has really been sucking lately because it's been in a car! Yes, the snow arrived on Dec. 6 and hit again on the 9th, and I've been trying to manage. I rode one day last week, this after pretty much every day since Apr. 1. Sad me. The snow is daily shrinking from the roads and there's no more in the immediate forecast, but the ice has been a problem. I'm scrambling to get an ice bike going this week. I'll keep you posted.

[Geonz]

I've been doing well -- I did decide to drop the Gazelle off for $140 worth of work (okay, probably $500 worth of work, but $140 is what it cost me ;)) - it only had low gear, which was okay for riding *into* the 35 mph winds Wednesday morning (tho' even w/ the bike weighing about 45 pounds, I walked it where things were most gusty). Usually I put the folder on back of the Xtracycle, drop the folder off and then switch off with the bike that needs work. Decided the handling issues of bike-on-bike weren't worth it andtook the bus home (it was colder waiting for the bus at 15 degrees than riding, though with that wind it wouldn't have applied 'cause pedaling with a 40 mph tailwind doesn't generate a whole lot of heat).
Now my little studded one has a new rear hub and new cables and the light works, and I didn't ahve to take the Christmas Tree off of the Xtracycle to get the folder on. (Alas, I can't seem to find the link to the pics right now... it would absolutely flunk an artistic analysis, but the tree *is* on the back of the bike and the lights blink and people smile. Not too often that the comment I get riding a bike is "nice tree!")

[Geonz]

F'ing insomnia. :mad:
I hate it. :mad:
Between fog, black ice, and about zero hours of restful sleep last night, there was no way I was getting on a bicycle.
And at our moring staff meeting, the head of our policy shop will be there to discuss a major new draft policy my agency released last week.
"Be prepared to ask intelligent questions," my boss said on Friday.
Yeah.
Right.
Whimper.

Sympathies -- but wise choice !
Hoping you could summon some faux intelligence. Here's to a restful evening...

[Melalvai]

After three years I finally decided to give bike shorts a try, and now I love them and I don't want to bike one mile without them. I only have two pairs. I know they are supposed to be worn sans underwear. It seems a bit silly, and hard on the shorts, to put them in the wash at the end of every day after just 5 to 14 miles.

I still really don't like the way they look, so I always wear something over them anyway. In this weather, polartec fleece. That covers up panty lines as well.

I've concluded that for the commuter cyclist who rides about 10 miles a day, most of that in shorter lengths of 3-5 mile trips, wearing underwear under the bike shorts will extend the lifetime of the shorts by cutting down on how often the shorts have to be washed.

Yesterday I thought I was done biking for the day, and I had washed both pairs of shorts and they were hanging up to dry, when my husband called and asked me to pick up our daughter from school, so he could stay with his study group (it is finals week). The car was parked at his school, so first step was getting to the car. I had to choose between not wearing bike shorts, and putting on damp shorts. The damp shorts meant I was thinking about them the entire 4 miles!

[pfunk12]

4 for 4 this week. Tomorrow is my day off. It's been cold but definitely bearable. I love my commute!

[kmehrzad]

4 for 4 this week. Tomorrow is my day off. It's been cold but definitely bearable. I love my commute!

Good for you PFunk, way to go! My riding was done indoors on a spinning cycle. Not as fun as being outdoors.

[pfunk12]

Not as fun but I'm sure you got a good workout! I really love the peace and quiet of the morning commute. The cold and darkness really keeps people (runners, walkers, and most cyclists) inside so I feel like I have the roads and trail to myself. And I love seeing the regular commuters everyday. Two mornings this week, I rode in with my buddy, Chip - a guy I randomly met a few months ago since we're headed to the same area in DC. On Tuesday evening, I met a guy on the way home. We cycled together for several miles and talked the whole time. The time flew by. And a few miles into my commute this evening, I saw 2 guys to my left on the sidewalk. One of them yelled..."Patty!!" It was Travis - the guy I met on Tuesday evening. And the other guy was Chris - a regular from the weekend group rides. 7rider knows him. He was the one who sort of caused a big crash back in August - a crash that sent 3 of us to the ER in ambulances (including me and him :eek:). I managed to keep myself in front of him this evening to avoid any incidents. :D And yesterday morning, a guy rode behind me for several miles. He thanked me because he forgot to recharge his light and it went out on him so he stayed behind me so he could see. I know it sounds silly but the cyclists that I've been meeting recently during my rides seem to be really happy. Like I said, even though it's been fairly cold and windy, everyone seems to be happy. Okay...I'm getting sappy so it's time to stop. :p


My riding was done indoors on a spinning cycle. Not as fun as being outdoors.

[kmehrzad]

Not as fun but I'm sure you got a good workout! I really love the peace and quiet of the morning commute. The cold and darkness really keeps people (runners, walkers, and most cyclists) inside so I feel like I have the roads and trail to myself. And I love seeing the regular commuters everyday. Two mornings this week, I rode in with my buddy, Chip - a guy I randomly met a few months ago since we're headed to the same area in DC. On Tuesday evening, I met a guy on the way home. We cycled together for several miles and talked the whole time. The time flew by. And a few miles into my commute this evening, I saw 2 guys to my left on the sidewalk. One of them yelled..."Patty!!" It was Travis - the guy I met on Tuesday evening. And the other guy was Chris - a regular from the weekend group rides. 7rider knows him. He was the one who sort of caused a big crash back in August - a crash that sent 3 of us to the ER in ambulances (including me and him :eek:). I managed to keep myself in front of him this evening to avoid any incidents. :D And yesterday morning, a guy rode behind me for several miles. He thanked me because he forgot to recharge his light and it went out on him so he stayed behind me so he could see. I know it sounds silly but the cyclists that I've been meeting recently during my rides seem to be really happy. Like I said, even though it's been fairly cold and windy, everyone seems to be happy. Okay...I'm getting sappy so it's time to stop. :p

I know exactly what you mean about 'picking up people' as you ride. I'd be riding to DC and meet up with usually guys who are going the same way. We'll ride and talk for awhile. When I rode a lot in the summer after work, I'd always see the same commuters and we'd wave and say hello. It's like a biking family out there if you're riding the same direction day after day. I don't think I've ever seen anyone on a bike that doesn't look happy and has a smile on their face. You can't help being happy when you're outdoors riding and enjoying the beauty of your surroundings.
Sorry to hear about your accident in August. What happened that caused the crash? Some people are not careful. I've ridden with people who liked to ride side by side on a narrow trail. Once I locked handlebars with one of these bikers while going a fairly nice clip and we both managed to stay upright and unlock but it scared me silly.
I'll bet the guy behind you yesterday morning was thankful he could hook up with someone who had lights. That's a bummer when you lose your lights. It's happened to me before but fortunately someone lent me a very dim light that was doable.
I've got tomorrow off myself. In fact, Fridays are my day off. Am looking forward to picking up my new single speed that I ordered last week. I've got 'new bike' fever.

[pfunk12]

We were doing a paceline - doing at least 25 mph. He hit a bump and went down. It was a domino effect. I ran over him :eek: and flew over my handlebars. No fun.

Sounds like tomorrow is going to be a great day for you! New bike fever is a great sickness!:D


Sorry to hear about your accident in August. What happened that caused the crash? Some people are not careful. I've ridden with people who liked to ride side by side on a narrow trail. Once I locked handlebars with one of these bikers while going a fairly nice clip and we both managed to stay upright and unlock but it scared me silly.
I'll bet the guy behind you yesterday morning was thankful he could hook up with someone who had lights. That's a bummer when you lose your lights. It's happened to me before but fortunately someone lent me a very dim light that was doable.
I've got tomorrow off myself. In fact, Fridays are my day off. Am looking forward to picking up my new single speed that I ordered last week. I've got 'new bike' fever.

[7rider]

Wow, PFunk....now you got me bummed I haven't seen any other bike commuters for a while. I've been all by my lonesome for some time. Last summer, there were 2 guys I saw regularly. One, I called "Road Bike Guy" - the other was "Mountainbike Guy". Original, huh? They were always going in the opposite direction. Road Bike Guy would wave. Mountainbike Guy would ding his bell. I haven't seen them since last summer, however. :(
Two other guys I know who commute in my direction - John and Joe - both leave earlier than me. I only see them if they're late and I'm early!
Yeah, P....best to give Chris wide berth! ;)
KMehrzad - congrats on the new ride. SS? You are da bomb!

[pfunk12]

I'm sorry...didn't mean to bum you out! :o Obviously, I meet all these cyclists because I'm on the Cap Crescent Trail and it's a major cyclist commuting route. Forgot to mention the elderly woman who walks every morning at 6 a.m. She is so consistent that Travis uses her as a barometer -on whether or not he is late for work or on time!
Would have loved to get out with Tom and the guys for a long ride this morning but it's not going to work out. Got a guy coming by at 10 to pick up a tv that I am donating to a charity and the pup is getting groomed so I will have to pick her up around noon. Based on this dreaded forecast, I think we are all going to be inside for days. :(


Wow, PFunk....now you got me bummed I haven't seen any other bike commuters for a while. I've been all by my lonesome for some time. Last summer, there were 2 guys I saw regularly. One, I called "Road Bike Guy" - the other was "Mountainbike Guy". Original, huh? They were always going in the opposite direction. Road Bike Guy would wave. Mountainbike Guy would ding his bell. I haven't seen them since last summer, however. :(
Two other guys I know who commute in my direction - John and Joe - both leave earlier than me. I only see them if they're late and I'm early!
Yeah, P....best to give Chris wide berth! ;)
KMehrzad - congrats on the new ride. SS? You are da bomb!

[kfergos]

Well, let's see. I haven't posted at all about my commuting, but I have been commuting at every opportunity. I'm still "between jobs," as they like to put it, so I don't have any set schedule to be able to commute X days a week consistently. However, I've only driven a car twice since I moved to Seattle at the beginning of November and I've been in and out of Seattle and the Eastside constantly. Just checked - in November I rode about 600 miles, which is pretty darn good for a winter month.

I have been volunteering at the place I'll be working in January, which is a 20-mile one-way commute. I've done that commute 3 days in a row, a total of 120 commuted miles in 3 days, just to see if I could. The answer is yes. In January I'll find out if I can do 5 days and sustain it. If not I'll do a hybrid bus/bike commute a couple days a week. I've also ridden the Xtracycle all over town and gotten a number of interested inquiries and comments about it.

Nearly every ride I do is a "commute," in that I usually do some errand or another along the way, even if I take the really super-extra long way to get there. :p Speaking of commuting, it's not raining (!!) and I need to get out of the house, so I'm gonna go think up an errand and hit the road. :D

[DebW]

I commuted today with the morning temperature at 10F. Wore ski pants, so legs and feet were warm, but hands were cold. The trip is only 2 miles. Roads are clear and ice-free, as long as you stay away from the extreme edges. Tuesday I took the bike path part way home and hit ice - falling down on ice with water puddles on top wasn't fun, though no major damage. Now I've got some studded tires on order, but think I'll stay on the roads and off the path the rest of the winter.

[blackhillsbiker]

3.5 for me this week. The first one was below zero. Tonight was almost 40. :) I went an extra couple of miles just for the joy of Friday and freedom and being on my bike.

Deb

[out_spokin']

I've ridden exactly 0 times the past two work weeks. :( The only good part is I don't "count" most of the work days as bikeable -- had a snow day/office closed, and 3 evening/work/holiday/overnight things that made it pretty near impossible to commute. I am SO ready to get back on the bike!

[out_spokin']

Finally back on the bike today -- what joy! Not too cold, not too icy. Pretty dark both ways though. And I forgot my lunch in my lack of morning routine practice. :rolleyes:

Last commute of the year for me - I'm leaving Monday for northeastern Europe to visit family for a couple weeks. Talk about dark! Hope I'll get some skiing or snowshoeing in, because I don't think there will be a whole lot of biking going on.

[DebW]

First commute on the studded tires. Probably didn't need them, but wasn't sure if some of the shiny patches were water or black ice (temp 10F but roads well-salted), so happy they were there. Yesterday I did some riding practice on snow - used the plowed part of the bike path with 1/2" of packed snow plus bare spots and ice and deeper loose snow.

[blackhillsbiker]

3 this week. My first rides in fog, and while it is actually snowing. I enjoyed them all!

Deb

[ginny]

I rode this morning for the first time since before christmas. Ah, it was nice! It was also C O L D and I forgot my goggles so my sinuses and froze. My balaclava can't cover my nose or I fog up anything I have over my eyes, so my nose hairs froze too... I think it was fairly cold this morning. Anyway, it was SO nice riding again. And, I figured out fenders that will work on my silly little single speed, so I ordered them this morning! YIPPEE! When they arrive, I can put them and my new green Brooks saddle on my bike (christmas pressy).... yay!

[coyote]

Been commuting all along - not too cold, but dang nabbit, where is the rain! I've been hoping for a wet commute before 2009 ends, probably not going to happen :(

[bikerHen]

I've been managing to ride 3 to 4 times a week. We've had a mostly snow free but cold winter, so far. Rode in this morning on about 1" of snow that fell just before I left for work. It's been sunny most of the day so I'm going to try and head home before the sun sets and the wet streets turn to ice sheets. I've had a couple of icy evening rides that were not real fun. Other than the evening ice I've enjoy some great commutes, for December! :D bikerHen

[Melalvai]

Niece/nephew/daughter wanted to go to the park yesterday. It's <1 mile and I didn't even ask about biking, figured too cold for them. But 6 yr old niece BEGGED for the trailer: my redneck lawnchair trailer (a lawn chair strapped to a flatbed). I wrapped her up in a blanket, strapped her in, and by the time I had it all set up, nephew & daughter decided they wanted to bike too. Off we went! The road I preferred involves a left turn across lanes of traffic on a busy street that the kids aren't up for, so we took unplowed residential streets, and since no one actually fell they enjoyed the excitement of the slick spots--more than I did. I knew from experience that if I happened to fall, that trailer stays resolutely upright!

I also had a grocery trip that morning. Uneventful, as I left I got some comments like "You are hardy!" and "Isn't it too cold for that?" (I was already sweating). But most interesting was when I was at a stop light.

On this particular street there is a bike lane, a bike lane designed such that you negotiate with right turners before reaching the intersection so that you stay in the bike lane through the intersection. Only the bike lane had slush & snow in it, and the roadway was clear, so I went ahead and moved into the lane a little. A truck came up beside me...a silver truck.

I risked a glance back, and sure enough, it was the silver truck with purple stripes, a camper shell and license tags I know well. It is driven by the rudest driver in town, an ugly troll of a man who indiscriminately harasses cyclists and motorists alike, whether you are in his path or not. And here I was, sharing a LANE with him. I steeled myself for his honking & swearing and hoped I'd get off lightly at that.

The light turned green and he waited until I was through the intersection before passing me. He didn't so much as lift a middle finger at me.

[Tri Girl]

The light turned green and he waited until I was through the intersection before passing me. He didn't so much as lift a middle finger at me.

Now that's cause for celebration! ;)
That's very cool about the kids wanting to ride to the park. I would like a ride on your lawnchair trailer, too, please. :p Sounds like fun!

[Melalvai]

I needed to go to work today and no one wanted to watch the high-maintenance 6 yr old, so I asked if she wanted to come with me. (If the answer was no they'd have had to watch her anyway.) She did want to ride on the lawn chair trailer! I bundled her up better than on Monday. When we got there I asked if she was cold, and did she want to call Uncle Mr. Mel to pick her up? She was cold, but she did not want to ride in the car. She wanted to ride on the bike trailer. We got a little more snow, but it was gone from most of the roads already.

We did the bit of work that needed done, and I asked again: are you sure you want to ride the bike? Yes, she's sure.

I have fenders, and a mud flap on the front tire, but not the rear. The mud spattered her pink coat. She kept her head down so mud wouldn't spatter the tiny bit of her face and eyes that were the only exposed bit of her. The blanket I wrapped around her is filthy! When we got out of the mud, she waved at EVERYONE who passed us, and was so excited when some of them waved back! And she sang Rudolph all the way home. (I asked her to sing something other than Jingle Bells on Day 1 of her visit.)

[Melalvai]

I would like a ride on your lawnchair trailer, too, please.
When I first made the trailer, my daughter pulled ME around the block. I've a great picture of my husband in the trailer. It belongs in one of those "World's Best Husbands" messages that go around...that one that has the guy & his bike in a tent with the wife sleeping outside? But to be fair, I had to beg him to ride in the trailer for the picture!

[Tri Girl]

too funny!!!:D

[Melalvai]

Oh yeah, every time I got to a hill she said "Why are we going so slow?"
A couple years ago it was "Faster, Aunt Wachel, faster!"

[blackhillsbiker]

2.5 out of 4 for me this week. Sunday night we stayed with friends just outside of town because our sewer backed up so I got a late start on Monday. Too late to bike to work. Today my bike went out to our friends' house so I could work on it tomorrow. They have a bike stand. She could use a good cleaning/chain lube/adjustments.

Happy New Year All!

Deb

[Melalvai]

This was just for fun. You could make paper dolls out of me...
http://www.kemenel.org/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=693&g2_serialNumber=1
http://www.kemenel.org/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=695&g2_serialNumber=1
http://www.kemenel.org/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=697&g2_serialNumber=1
http://www.kemenel.org/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=699&g2_serialNumber=1

[blackhillsbiker]

I found out today that at -15° when my goggles fog up because of the balaclava, the fog freezes. So I took the goggles off, and my eyelashes froze. That's a weird experience! I had to stop a couple of times to wipe off the ice crystals. Other than that, it was a beautiful morning and I'm glad I rode. Abbie is awesome rolling over ruts and drifts with her huge fat tires. I think when it warms up and I'm back on my Kona it'll feel like I sprouted wings.:D

Deb

[blackhillsbiker]

I love the "Dress Me Melalvai" doll! :)

[blackhillsbiker]

4 during the week and one this weekend (I rode to the church for practice, which is one block further than where I work, so I'm going to count it:rolleyes:)

Deb

[Tri Girl]

I like the visual layering pictures. People tell me what to wear, but I'm such a visual person it's nice to see it. Thanks! :D

[pfunk12]

3 for 3 this week. Enjoyed every single day - both to and from work. Beautiful and peaceful. Already looking forward to next week's commute.:)

[blackhillsbiker]

5 for 5! :D Tomorrow the bikes are getting a much-needed bath! The weather is supposed to be gorgeous for the next few days.

Deb

[Tri Girl]

0 out of 25 for me. :( I'm doing terribly at this commuting thing this winter. :mad:
Between surgery and recovery and then the unusually bitter cold, I just haven't done it since the first week of December...

Let's face it- I'm a winter wimp. Ice, snow and below freezing temps just isn't my idea of "fun." I thought I'd be tougher, but I'm not...

I'm hoping to ride this week. Temps should be in the 50's and nice again. I'll get back out there, ladies. I promise!!! And when it's spring and much warmer- my butt will be out there every day!!! ;)

[twin]

This is your week because as you mentioned it's good weather for about a week. It almost makes one forget about winter. I hope you get to ride as often as you want this week!

[Tri Girl]

You, too, twin!
I vowed to be car-free this week. It's a short week, so it's definitely doable!

[shootingstar]

Should have done a longer ride since the weather was so fine and sunny after a high windy night and early morning with rain.

But just 15 kms. to and from for a health assessment for a research project. Today there were lots of people scheduled to participate. We're all volunteer participants. :)

[malkin]

One for me! I can still make it up the hill and down!
And I could breathe; BONUS!

AND my health ins. sent me a check for an overcharge from when I went to the ER after I crashed in September. *eye roll* but who can argue?

[pfunk12]

4 for 4 this week. I was taking a risk today because they were calling for a chance of a wintry mix this afternoon if the temperature dropped a few degrees. Turned out that it was in the low 40s with sunshine - nicest ride home all week.

[out_spokin']

3 for 3 this week and 1 for 1 last week after a break for the holidays....SO nice to be back on the bike! Big challenge coming up though -- my commuter bus isn't surviving the recession. After Feb 12th I have no idea how I'm going to make it to work. :eek: Lots of thinking and research to do...

[7rider]

4 for 4 this week. I was taking a risk today because they were calling for a chance of a wintry mix this afternoon if the temperature dropped a few degrees. Turned out that it was in the low 40s with sunshine - nicest ride home all week.

Well, I opted to take today off the bike, expecting that wintery mix in the a.m. But it never happened. But, that's okay. Two days for me this week is two more than I've gotten in a loooong time!
And, the continued temps above freezing mean those blasted icebergs are getting smaller each day.
Yesterday, riding home, I decided to cut the corner off where the worse 'bergs are by riding an abandoned roadbed. I drop down a muddy hillside off a sidewalk, across a patch of dirt, to get to the old road. On my flat bar road bike. With skinny tires. In January thaw bog. :eek: The rear end of the bike bogged down in the mud and then skidded and fish-tailed all over the place. :eek::eek: I felt like I buried the rear wheel up to its axle (I REALLY need to lose some weight! :rolleyes:), but I got through, up to the gate, around and home. Whew!

[blackhillsbiker]

4.5 for 5. We took my bike to the shop at lunchtime to get the brake fixed. It's still leaking.:( The day turned very nasty and wet so I was glad of a ride in the car tonight.

Deb

[pfunk12]

Wow, 7...sounds like an interesting ride yesterday! :eek: Glad you made it home okay. The ice on my route is all melted. And two commutes this week is great. Sounds like everyonen who is posting is doing well with the commuting. :)
I've attached a photo of the icy stretch that I had to deal with for almost 2 weeks. A 1/4 mile of the trail. I never thought it would melt!

[kmehrzad]

Wow, 7...sounds like an interesting ride yesterday! :eek: Glad you made it home okay. The ice on my route is all melted. And two commutes this week is great. Sounds like everyonen who is posting is doing well with the commuting. :)
I've attached a photo of the icy stretch that I had to deal with for almost 2 weeks. A 1/4 mile of the trail. I never thought it would melt!

That's one ugly ice patch. There were several patches similar to that (not quite as bad) on the W&OD, riding NW. I'd have a very narrow path of pavement to ride on which required a lot of concentration -- I suppose this is where roller training would come in handy.

[blackhillsbiker]

I've been really glad of the studded tires lately. Lots of ice in the mornings.

Deb

[7rider]

Melting snow revealed a lot of broken glass on the sidewalk on which I must ride 1/2 mile (.8 km) from our house. DH is heading there now with a pushbroom to sweep it away from me. Whatta guy! :D

[pfunk12]

Awwwwwww...that is sweet! :D


Melting snow revealed a lot of broken glass on the sidewalk on which I must ride 1/2 mile (.8 km) from our house. DH is heading there now with a pushbroom to sweep it away from me. Whatta guy! :D

[Melalvai]

I'm clicking the "like" button here! I just wrote an article for our newsletter about how advocacy sometimes means writing a letter, or donating to the Bike League, or even picking up a snow shovel...or a broom!

[7rider]

I like snow. I really do. I grew up in New England. Snow is a part of winter.
But last winter, we got next to NO snow...and I was able to bike ride all season long. This winter, it seems it's snowing TONS...and the level of whining and griping from the radio hosts, the co-workers, and just about everybody else, has reached a fever pitch.
And my bikes sit unused in the basement.
And my LBS lent me a set of handlebars to try on my commuter to approximate the Seven Tiberius bars (http://www.sevencycles.com/accessories/commuterbar_specs.php), knowing that I'm really jonesing for a Seven commuter (yeah...when the money tree bears fruit!) but I'm unsure about these new fangled handlebars they're making. So....I have these new bars - which I'm sort of dubious about - that my DH put on my commuter yesterday. Gads, the bike looks funny! But, who knows WHEN I'll actually be able to ride the blasted thing again???
Dang snow. Best left on the mountains and xc trails.....

[pfunk12]

I hear ya, 7. I grew up in northeastern PA and we would get tons of snow. Can't say that I like it so much now that I'm old! We got spoiled these past few years with the mild winters so we're paying the price this year. Snow this past Saturday, last night and another major storm on Friday??:eek: I've been commuting much more than you - probably because you have more common sense than me. :D But it's still rough. I hope that all of the snow melts next week so you can try out your new handlebars.:)


I like snow. I really do. I grew up in New England. Snow is a part of winter.
But last winter, we got next to NO snow...and I was able to bike ride all season long. This winter, it seems it's snowing TONS...and the level of whining and griping from the radio hosts, the co-workers, and just about everybody else, has reached a fever pitch.
And my bikes sit unused in the basement.
And my LBS lent me a set of handlebars to try on my commuter to approximate the Seven Tiberius bars (http://www.sevencycles.com/accessories/commuterbar_specs.php), knowing that I'm really jonesing for a Seven commuter (yeah...when the money tree bears fruit!) but I'm unsure about these new fangled handlebars they're making. So....I have these new bars - which I'm sort of dubious about - that my DH put on my commuter yesterday. Gads, the bike looks funny! But, who knows WHEN I'll actually be able to ride the blasted thing again???
Dang snow. Best left on the mountains and xc trails.....

[Melalvai]

This is long...but it was a long ride (for a commute).

I had to go to Jeff City today (30 miles away) because I agreed to do the Missouri Bicycle & Pedestrian Federation booth during the Conservation Day at the Capitol. I didn't want to take the car, because my husband & daughter get out of school at 3, and I was going to be in Jeff City for most of the afternoon. (They don't bike. It's really their car.)

So I left at 7:30 and biked. It was cold! I started to wonder if I'd made a mistake because my hands just wouldn't warm up. I had my heavy gloves on but not the mitten shells. But they finally kicked in after the 3rd hill or so.

There is a lovely rail-trail between Columbia and Jeff City, the Katy Trail. There's another route using the quieter highways. But I took the main highway, Hwy 63, because it's the most direct route. 30 miles, versus 37 on the quiet highways, or 40 on the Katy.

On my work horse of a bike, 10 miles is a difference of an hour. But Hwy 63 between Columbia & Jeff is awfully busy and scary. It's not an interstate but pretty close to that. I've ridden it before, but that was early on a Sunday morning. I had work week traffic.

It was actually a pretty decent ride. The shoulders are SO wide--quite a novelty in shoulder-deficient Missouri. They were in good condition. And they were clean. A bit of road kill or litter here and there, but I wasn't constantly dodging debris and potholes.

I had my route all worked out, but for some reason I hadn't thought about the bridge. There is only one bridge over the Missouri River into Jeff. It has a bike lane--on the other side only. (Whose idea was that, anyway?) I've ridden that bike lane wrong-way before, which is how it is supposed to be ridden, but I hated it so much, that I just do what everyone else does, and ride on the highway across the bridge. Of course you lose the shoulder too on the bridge.

The worst part of the bridge though is that it is a bridge. I'm scared of heights, especially over water. I don't know why. I'm fine in a boat. Even in a car crossing a bridge I get nervous. This bridge is SO high, and with 60 and 70 mph traffic, it is really terrifying.

Somehow I'd managed to forget about that until a few miles away. I was absolutely gripped in panic! I took some deep breaths and focused on some other thoughts (anything else--just not that bridge!) until I got to the bridge. I kept my head down and kept my eyes focused as close in front of me as I could without actually not looking at the road!

Because once you get on that bridge, there is nothing you can do. The cars will hit you or not, and they are going so fast it's out of your control. So I just do my best to absolutely ignore them on my left side, and the water on my right side. I think there might have been a lot of ice in the water because it was easy to pretend it was concrete. I didn't look too closely.

Now, getting through Jeff City was another matter. Wow, does that town have hills! Just outside of Jeff I was pleased with how good time I'd made and anticipated getting to the U-haul rental 15 minutes earlier than I'd thought. I thought it would take me half an hour to get through town. It took me the half hour PLUS the 15 minutes I'd banked.

I wanted to ride home, but I also wanted to spend some time with my family today, so I rode about 10 miles out of Jeff until my husband got out of class and found me on the highway, and we pulled over and loaded the bike on the car and went home.

[Tri Girl]

wow- great job on riding to Jeff City in somewhat undesirable conditions. While that was a long post- it was well worth the read! I kinda felt like I was along with you on your ride. Glad you made it over that bridge without a full-blown panic attack! :)

[pfunk12]

I agree with Tri Girl. Good job, Melalvai! Way to conquer that bridge.

[out_spokin']

Sorry to hear about snow challenges, but great job on the bridge Melavai!

I've got pretty typical Colorado dry weather, and am 3 for 3 again this week. I did get through 3 one way wettish snow the past week and a half, which were tempting to just opt for a telecommute day but am really glad I made the effort. The downside is that my bike is an absolute MESS. Poor thing rides the front of the bus and the highway spray has been gritty and plentiful. I seriously need to get on the overhaul - my goal for the weekend is to at least get the frame wiped down, chain clean and lubed, and at least one hub overhauled. We'll see how it goes!!

[Melalvai]

The downside is that my bike is an absolute MESS. Poor thing rides the front of the bus and the highway spray has been gritty and plentiful. I seriously need to get on the overhaul - my goal for the weekend is to at least get the frame wiped down, chain clean and lubed, and at least one hub overhauled. We'll see how it goes!!
I wipe down the chain, drivetrain, and rims frequently. Otherwise in this weather, I just let it build up. I have a theory that the muck on the bike protects from the muck that isn't yet on the bike.

[Biciclista]

got my roadbike back. Oh my goodness, it was like stepping into a sports car. It just responds INSTANTLY! and it's fast, and all the gears are easy to find, and i had like a dozen more below where that ten speed was gasping.
Got outside this morning (dark) and the light on my helmet revealed the tiny droplets of fog floating around in the air. 38 degrees happy to have my bike back, fancy paint job and all.

[Biciclista]

hey, am i the only commuter left?
rode to work today knowing full well it will be pouring for my return trip home.

[7rider]

hey, am i the only commuter left?

I think so! :eek:

Looking at the condition of the road - and those darned sidewalks I need to go down to get out of the neighborhood with their HUGE snow banks - I won't be riding until April! :mad:

[out_spokin']

I'm still in...not really fair that Colorado seems to be the only place in the nation without good snow right now, but hey it's good for the commute. Crazy though -- yesterday I fell on a little patch of ice (granted, at a very key place) after weeks of getting through much bigger/scarier sections. :o Bike's fine, equipment's fine, and despite a sore shoulder and bruised knee I'm pretty fine. Another moment of being grateful for a helmet - it easily took a little knock, when otherwise I woulda had quite a headache at best.

Biciclista - do you have some pics of the new paint job?

Melalvai - I laughed about your "muck protects against muck" theory. I totally get it....in my case though I'm lifting my bike on and off the bus so much that my gloves and other equipment is telling me I better give them a break from muck-land. Didn't get it done last weekend, so this one is key.

I got 2 for 3 this week. I drove today in favor of a social event -- I really need to see some peeps! But my excellent news is that the commuter bus is back from the dead, so I'll be able to keep up the bike/bus through the year at least. Woohoo! :)

[bikerHen]

I'm still going strong here in Spokane. We are having a non-winter and I am loving it. I had 20 commuting day in January and nine so far this month. :D Sorry east coast rider, you're having the winter I've had the last two years. :eek: Suck doesn't it! I actually rode to work in sunshine this AM. It's raining now, but I like riding in the rain. bikerHen

[Biciclista]

non-winter?
bleah. We have wind gusts of 20+ MPH and i got caught in a downpour. wah wah wah.
but my trusty bike got me home.
Photos soon, i promise.

[bikerHen]

Well I was going to say a Seattle like winter . . . you know lots of rain and mild temperatures. :rolleyes: At least we haven't had much wind. I love the rain but hate wind. bikerHen

[kfergos]

hey, am i the only commuter left?
rode to work today knowing full well it will be pouring for my return trip home.Gosh, I totally fell off the TE wagon for a while there. Hi, everybody! I've missed ya'll.

Commuting these days is awesome yet humbling. Three days a week - Monday, Wednesday, Friday - I ride the 20-mile commute both ways. Two days a week - Tuesday, Thursday (obviously...:rolleyes:) - I ride 8 miles to the transit station and take a bus the rest of the way. That's the ideal case. My AmeriCorps internship has so many exceptions and unusual things happening that no week has actually panned out like that yet. On Mondays I'm attacking hills and zooming along at 15 mph average; by Friday, no matter what my commute actually ends up looking like, my legs feel like Jell-o and I'm creeping along at like 13 mph. My average weekly mileage tends to be 150 to 165 miles.

I've been dropped off at work and picked up from work by car once since I started on January 20, which isn't an astounding record but still pretty decent. I am LOVING the balmy Seattle weather, and this winter particularly has been so nice I rode home in SHORTS a couple days in the last few weeks. I just got my first flat in over a year on the Burke-Gilman Trail in Kenmore by NE 153rd AVE (to be precise). I really didn't expect that on the bike path, and my stupid CO2 cartridge exploded instead of filling up my tire. Now I have a Road Morph pump that I trust will do the trick in the future.

That is all for now. Happy riding!

[Jenerator]

I'm still in. Ridden every day that I've not been on-call or traveling. Way too mild a winter in CO has made it easy.

[Melalvai]

Worked at home, then biked to the bowling alley to pre-bowl for tonight's League game. We don't like to be up that late, so we're going to pre-bowl every game! We'd decided I'd ride home with my husband, but I remembered on the way that I had taken the bike rack off the car for the trip to Lawrence this weekend, and hadn't put it back yet. So he got to stop at the grocery store by himself and pick up feminine supplies for daughter, poor guy. And I biked home. And got back to work!

Actually yesterday's drive took a lot out of me. My daughter & I went to my mom's to help her cook & clean after her hand surgery. On the way home, we were stuck in a traffic jam on I-70 for TWO HOURS. Well, better the traffic jam than the cause: 30-car pile-ups on BOTH SIDES of the highway! When we finally got out of it, the snow was coming down thick, and visibility was horrible. We nearly got a hotel right there, 20 miles from my mom's, but decided to press on home and "keep an open mind about stopping" (as my daughter advised).

I got a good night's rest but I've felt exhausted all day nonetheless. I keep hopping up to do some light exercise hoping it will energize me (yoga, Wii Fit). It does, for a little while.

It's just funny how driving a car in stressful conditions can take so much out of me, but I feel great the day after a long bike trip.

[pfunk12]

3 out of 4 for me this week. Very excited to be back on the bike after 2 blizzards hit our area recently. I may not see the bike trail until spring but I am fortunate that I have many options of getting to work on city streets.

[Biciclista]

what caused such a huge accident?


. On the way home, we were stuck in a traffic jam on I-70 for TWO HOURS. Well, better the traffic jam than the cause: 30-car pile-ups on BOTH SIDES of the highway! When we finally got out of it, the snow was coming down thick, and visibility was horrible. We nearly got a hotel right there, 20 miles from my mom's, but decided to press on home and "keep an open mind about stopping" (as my daughter advised).
.

[out_spokin']

2.75 for 3 this week. Gotta pick up the car we let a friend borrow so won't get the full commute in tonight.

I was SO FRUSTRATED with myself this morning -- the first section of the commute was fine, light snow on the paths/streets. But in Denver it was a total ice rink on the sidewalks and bike paths. I HAVE STUDDED TIRES but NO, procrastination on getting my spare rear wheel checked out means I didn't have it mounted and ready, so regular tires and high level of stress it was. I walked several sections. DARN. :mad: Luckily I've got some city street options for the way home, too.

The good news is that I'm above my goal, at about 80% for the challenge, with a month to go!

[Melalvai]

what caused such a huge accident?
Sudden ice and visibility. It did happen suddenly, it was such a weird day. One moment snow would be coming down thickly, the next moment the sun was shining. There were pileups on other highways in the area too. No one was hurt, amazingly--and we saw 5 cars scrunched between a semi and the concrete barrier.

After last weekend, I was on my bike every day this week, and what lovely weather! It was positively balmy yesterday! I even managed to find enough places to go that my commute was 10-15 miles total most days.

[7rider]

Hmmmm.
You know that sidewalk I have to go down to get to out of my neighborhood at the start of my commute? (The one I've been b---hing about all winter?)
Well....it's still completely (well, 80%) clogged with impenetrable ice blocks 5 feet (1.5 m) tall.
But.......
The sidewalk across the street....that gets more direct sunlight.....is nearly clear. And rideable.
So.....
The question becomes, do I cross 6 lanes of traffic (without a light) to get to the side walk on the OTHER side....ride down the sidewalk a mere 1/3 mile to the light, cross as a pedestrian at the light, and start riding again to work? Or...do I just say fuggettaboutit and drag my DH out of the house to take me to Metro each morning and take the subway in until the snow on my side of that hell road melts more? :confused::confused:

[pfunk12]

The question becomes, do I cross 6 lanes of traffic (without a light) to get to the side walk on the OTHER side....ride down the sidewalk a mere 1/3 mile to the light, cross as a pedestrian at the light, and start riding again to work? Or...do I just say fuggettaboutit and drag my DH out of the house to take me to Metro each morning and take the subway in until the snow on my side of that hell road melts more? :confused::confused:

Is that the same 6 lanes of traffic that you and Tom forced me to go across during our Saturday morning ride a while back? ;) If so, yes! Kidding...do what you feel comfortable with. If it's not a dead deer, it's an iceberg... What is up with that sidewalk? :D

[7rider]

Is that the same 6 lanes of traffic that you and Tom forced me to go across during our Saturday morning ride a while back? ;) If so, yes! Kidding...do what you feel comfortable with. If it's not a dead deer, it's an iceberg... What is up with that sidewalk? :D

Yeah, it's that same road (http://maps.google.com/maps?oe=UTF-8&ie=UTF8&q=randolph+rd&fb=1&gl=us&ei=xReHS6ukMoqW8AaGpJ2nDw&ved=0CCYQtgMwAw&radius=0.44&sll=39.066256,-77.025543&sspn=0.006139,0.016469&rq=1&ev=zi&hq=randolph+rd&hnear=&ll=39.066547,-77.024052&spn=0,359.983531&z=17&layer=c&cbll=39.065989,-77.022192&panoid=o1WjrfYlbN2GS61ec1pb4A&cbp=12,263.78,,0,13.15).

It's actually cross-able on a Saturday morning. Not so great on a week day during rush hours. :rolleyes:

The sidewalk is on the south side of the road. It's heavily shaded by large trees that are part of the regional park at the intersection by the light.

Sigh. I'm not sure what I feel comfortable with. I think it's Metro for the foreseeable future. :(

[pfunk12]

It's actually cross-able on a Saturday morning. Not so great on a week day during rush hours. :rolleyes:

The sidewalk is on the south side of the road. It's heavily shaded by large trees that are part of the regional park at the intersection by the light.

Sigh. I'm not sure what I feel comfortable with. I think it's Metro for the foreseeable future. :(

Guess I wouldn't feel too comfortable crossing it during morning rush hour. It's nice to see all the snow melting but those huge mounds require a heat wave to make a dent in them.

[Melalvai]

Here are some options. I don't know how feasible they are, I'm just brainstorming.
- Ride as much of that 1/3 mile as you can, and walk what you can't. You'll need flat pedals & boots.
- Get out the snow shovel and shovel the 1/3 mile of sidewalk. Maybe your neighbors will be inspired & join you! (Probably not.)

[pfunk12]

Here are some options. I don't know how feasible they are, I'm just brainstorming.
- Ride as much of that 1/3 mile as you can, and walk what you can't. You'll need flat pedals & boots.
- Get out the snow shovel and shovel the 1/3 mile of sidewalk. Maybe your neighbors will be inspired & join you! (Probably not.)

Melalvai - I suggested a looooong time ago that 7's darling, darling husband get out there and shovel that iceberg for her. What a wonderful gesture of love that would be! ;)

[Melalvai]

Melalvai - I suggested a looooong time ago that 7's darling, darling husband get out there and shovel that iceberg for her. What a wonderful gesture of love that would be!
Aw, they could make a couples thing of it!

[7rider]

Melalvai - I suggested a looooong time ago that 7's darling, darling husband get out there and shovel that iceberg for her. What a wonderful gesture of love that would be! ;)

HA!!!
Yeah. That'll be the day. :rolleyes:
Using a broom to brush broken glass out of the way? ...sure.
Shovel a mountain of ice? Uh. No. :(

I did think of carrying my bike, but unfortunately, it's not really practical where the worst of it is. It's private driveways, fences, and/or a 10' drop over a guardrail into pricker bushes on the non-road side of the 'bergs.

I thought of Yehuda Moon and this about my option:
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z85/7rider/2010-02-24.gif

But then realized, it was more like this:
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z85/7rider/2010-02-25.gif

[out_spokin']

Didn't need one at all in the morning -- this evening I turned it on the last few blocks for the sake of the post-sunset car traffic, but really didn't need it at all. Hooray sun! We've had 2 days in the 50s and tons of sun, so it was also the first day without riding over any ice.

1 for 2 this week and 0 for 0 last week - head cold took me down a bit. Still on track to finish at or above my main goal...gotta keep it up the next couple weeks and hope the inevitable giant spring snow dump doesn't mess me up! :)

[out_spokin']

Hi everyone,
Well, today's a snow day telecommute for me, sort of a funny way to end this winter's challenge (mild winter in CO, harsh so many other places!)

Congrats to those of you who stuck with it, came back from weather or other setbacks, etc.!!

I'm really grateful people joined up on this challenge again. It really helped me stay motivated. My original commuting goal was a stretch from last year to 75%. I ended up at 79%, so I'm very happy! :cool: My original intent to have at least one other car-free weekday collapsed early, but that's one I think I can work on and gain momentum on in the summer and bring the habits with me into the colder weather. I'm still working on making changes that will make car-free more of a reality more of the time!

Thanks again everyone!!

[blackhillsbiker]

Missed only a handful of days (a couple of appointments, a few days to extremely severe weather, and a couple because I was hit by a truck drive who didn't look before he turned). The Dew & I had a spectacular winter. I'm almost sorry to see it warming up. I'm finding that I liked having the path to myself and I enjoyed the challenge of below zero riding. Not that spring isn't fun...

Deb

[malkin]

FINALLY 2/2 this week!

No snow! No off site meetings!
Nevermind the winds, Tuesday and Wednesday were bikeable.

Since Monday and Thursday have become no bike days (driving a kid) I am way more motivated to ride on Tu and Wed, even if the weather is dubious.

I'm happy.

[Biciclista]

we should start a new thread it's not fall/winter anymore!!
:D:D:D:D

[Trek420]

In this hemisphere :p we can pass it off to TE Ausies, New Zealand etc to keep it going Just they keep us jealous in the dark of winter. :cool: